Digital billboard regulations became an issue earlier this year when Pop's Kitchen and Tap Room owner John Crivellaro installed one at his business between Industrial Drive and Interstate 78.

Crivellaro said earlier this year he was granted permits to install a 12-foot by 24-foot sign that stands 35 feet high, but later was told by township officials that they were no good because the ad changed rather than remaining static.

What the supervisors looked at Wednesday night were amendments to a digital billboard ordinance that included allowing the images to change every 90 seconds, no sequential videos and illumination no greater than 650 nits, a brightness measurement. For example, an LCD computer monitor averages 200 to 300 nits.

"Six hundred fifty nits, it's too high,'' said township engineer Timothy Edinger, who added that studies by officials in Illinois found 150 nits to be appropriate.

Because of the wide disparity in numbers, he said, "It warrants more investigation."

The 650 number came from a consultant hired by Crivellaro, said township Planning Commission Chairman Terry Lee, who added that the ordinance should be reviewed again by the commission.

While Supervisor Chairman George Washburn and Supervisor Sally Hixson voted to have the Planning Commission review and recommend an illumination level, Supervisor Vincent Foglia voted no and said, "I'm not prepared to ever vote on this.

"I have studies that say this stuff is not safe. ... They should not have these signs at entrance and exit ramps,'' he said.

A study of digital billboard safety is being conducted by Penn State University and Foglia said, "I'll wait and see what Penn State has to say.''

Park Place resident Alice Dietrich said her home near Interstate 78 is affected by lighting from three billboards along the highway and are a daily nuisance.

"I don't feel it would be appropriate," she said regarding bright billboards.

Resident Jim Picot said: "I don't care what Penn State says. These people [who install billboards] don't care. ... Go up to Route 33 at Route 80. There's one there and it's out of control.''

In discussions about a burning ordinance, Washburn said the township is required by state law to enact regulations because it has more than 5,000 residents.

The key sticking point was whether to allow any burning or being specific as to what can be burned.

Hixson, like several other residents who expressed dislike for the regulation, said she frequently uses a barrel to burn personal papers.

The ordinance, which remains in a draft version, would also prohibit leaf and tree limb burning. Washburn said that would be handled by the township, which would develop a site for disposal of leaves and branches.